Kane Lambert revels in fresh start at Williamstown

Brent Diamond

After the devastation of missing out on being drafted yet again, former Northern Blues midfielder Kane Lambert says he needed a "fresh start" at Williamstown to help his career evolve at a stand-alone club.

Lambert, who fell one vote short of joining a trio as winners of last year’s Liston Medal, was among the best in Williamstown’s impressive 25-point win over last year’s grand finalist Geelong at Burbank Oval on Saturday, with Jake Owen a surprise match-winner up forward with five goals.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Lambert over the off-season. A hip injury derailed his pre-season, restricting his chances of making this year’s state team.

Above all, his name was caught up in a tug-of-war-like fight as the Blues initially blocked his transfer to Williamstown, who had already poached three of its players.

Adam Marcon, Nick Meese and Tim Currie all joined Williamstown over the off-season, but Lambert, who displayed terrific on-field leadership at the Blues, was one they didn’t want to give up without a fight.

VFL clubs are generally allowed to poach two players from opposition clubs without permission, but require approval for any further transfers. AFL Victoria was forced to intervene through mediation in late January before the Seagulls secured Lambert.

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"It [leaving] was nothing to do with the club itself. I love the club and everything that’s involved, but I suppose Williamstown going stand-alone did entice me a lot, and a couple of others coming across definitely helped," Lambert said.

"I think I just needed a change at the end of it all. It wasn’t just about moving across to [help] get drafted; I was looking forward to playing at a stand-alone club. I probably did the best I could at the Northern Blues."

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Lambert’s example to leave a club he loves is perhaps, in some ways, a saviour to the competition given there were fears that it may have been dominated by stand-alone AFL clubs, which have the attraction, in most cases, of improved facilities and funding.

While, the Northern Blues aren’t classified as a stand-alone AFL club, Carlton has its motives on developing its own players first and foremost.

Instead, it seems more young players, who want to get drafted, are flocking to clubs such as the Seagulls and Coburg, which have recently split from AFL partners, along with Port Melbourne, Frankston and Bendigo.

While history suggests that the Box Hill Hawks, Frankston and Werribee – which have provided 22 players between them with an AFL opportunity – VFL players with AFL ambitions are fearful that they may get limited exposure to AFL recruiters if they are hindered by the structures of an AFL affiliate.

The selling point has helped bolster Williamstown, which is set to be a flag contender in its 150th celebrations as a VFA/VFL club.

"With no disrespect, the beauty of us and Port Melbourne and Frankston and Bendigo, and other clubs, is that we can offer these kids their prime position to be showcased. Rather than a [Kane] Lambert and a [Adam] Marcon be shunted out to wings and forwards flanks, I’ll play them in [the] midfield,” Williamstown coach Andy Collins said.

Coming off a career-best season, Lambert has many fans including his former TAC Cup coach Denis Pagan, who said last year he is "absolutely flabbergasted" that the on-baller isn’t on an AFL list.

"I think everyone has different opinions of myself," Lambert said.

"I’ll keep trying to play good footy and hopefully the right person’s watching me at the right time."

Lambert isn’t the only Seagull looking to get noticed.

Mitch Banner, a former Western Jet and Port Adelaide player, is one of nine Seagulls to be selected in the 40-man state representative squad to take on the SANFL at North Port Oval on May 31.

The others are Marcon, Meese, Anthony Anastasio, Ben Davies, Peter Faulks, Ben Jolley, Cameron Lockwood and Scott Clouston, who also finished with five goals against the Cats.

Banner said it would only be a matter of time before the Seagulls put together four-quarter performances.

"I think it will start to show," Banner said.

"It’s one of those things where you’ve got so many good players and it’s just a matter of gelling as a team and getting used to each other. I still think we’re on the path and we’ve shown in quarters and halves that we can really bring it.

"It is exciting when you do see a list with so much talent."

Lambert agreed, suggesting it as tough getting a game with the Seagulls as it is with an AFL-aligned team.

"It’s not easy getting a game in that squad. It’s a quality side all the way down to the development side. It’s a challenge now coming to a new club, everyone’s trying to cement a spot in the side as well," he said.

"We’re confident we’re going to get better as we go throughout the year. The more continuity we have as a group, the better."

Williamstown, now third on the ladder, will get another opportunity to expose its young guns when it takes on the Brisbane-based Aspley Hornets at the MCG on Tuesday night in the Foxtel Cup.

It is the only remaining VFL representative after Box Hill was knocked out by West Perth in a two-point loss at Etihad Stadium.